Fourth Estate/Jordan Giles

An offensive explosion helped the Patriots dominate the Keydets

BY GABRIEL KING, SPORTS EDITOR

Mason baseball defeated VMI 16-3 on Tuesday afternoon at Spuhler Field to win their midweek matchup. The Patriots (12-12, 0-0 Atlantic 10) scored 13 runs in the first four innings to overwhelm the Keydets (12-14, 0-3 Southern).

Left fielder Reece Woody led the Patriots, going 3-4 with three RBIs, while scoring twice. Woody also recorded his first triple of the season. First baseman Connor Dykstra added three RBIs for Mason. The Patriots batted around twice in the game, in the second and fourth innings. 

Second baseman South Trimble reached base six times and scored five times, with two hit by pitches and a season-high with four walks. Trimble also recorded four walks on March 12 against Bucknell. In both games, the Patriots scored more than ten runs. 

Mason scored in double figures for the fifth time this season, four of which have been at home. The Patriots are now 11-3 at Spuhler Field, compared to an 0-4 record in true road games. 

On the mound, the Patriots’ bullpen delivered a stellar performance. Mason allowed no runs in the final five innings, including scoreless outings from Connor Knox, Cole Egan and Toby Hueber. 

Freshman Shaun Okeeffe pitched two scoreless innings and recorded his first collegiate victory. The left-handed pitcher struck out three and only allowed two baserunners in his seventh appearance of the season. With another shutout appearance, Okeeffe lowered his ERA to 2.57.

The Patriots chased VMI starting pitcher Caden Plummer from the game after 0.1 innings. In his first loss of the season, Plummer allowed three earned runs, inflating his ERA to 12.27. Offensively, third baseman Kazuya Jordan led the Keydets with a two-run single in the second inning, but VMI would only score one run the rest of the way.

The Patriots will make the return trip to Lexington, Va. on Apr. 10 in the second game of their home-and-home series with the Keydets.

Mason will begin A-10 play this weekend against Richmond. The A-10 head coaches selected Mason to finish second in the conference before the season after winning the A-10 Tournament and earning a bid to the NCAA Tournament. 

 The Spiders sit at 9-15 after falling in their midweek matchup at No. 9 Virginia. The Patriots will be seeking their first true road win of the season, while Richmond will be looking to snap a five-game losing streak.